Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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355. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW will allocate further funding to cover the 15% local contribution shortfall of €3,600 in respect of a project (details supplied) under the community involvement in road works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5963/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Office of Public Works’ (OPW) funding in respect of National Monuments is intended solely for the upkeep of National Monuments and other heritage properties in the care of the State and is not usually used for other purposes.

The OPW is not willing to fund the total cost of the local contribution for the repair and upgrade of this public road. It is not owned by them and as such, is outside their direct remit, though they use it to access the Monument for general inspection and maintenance purposes.

The offer of €1,800, (being 25% of the total required), was made as a gesture of good will on the understanding that it was a once-off payment and represented a contribution proportionate to the OPW’s use of the road. Notwithstanding that there may be no other residents living locally, it is the OPW’s understanding that there are three other landowners with property interests served by the same route.